Empower International/Uganda

     During the May 2008 trip, Empower held a training seminar for regional leaders from the Mother's Union of the Church of Uganda.  We met at the Green Hills Inn in Kabale, Uganda.  Several men and other non-Mother's Union leaders also attended.  Participating in a seminar with such dynamic, committed and capable people was a fabulous experience for us all.  

     Thanks to participants Mercy Agaba and Solomon Mfiitumukiza, a break for personal time on Tuesday afternoon turned into a memorial teambuilding experience.  Mercy arranged for a bus to take us to nearby Lake Bunyonyi.  Solomon arranged for two boats to take us to the island on which was built the school he leads.  Lake Bunyonyi must be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

     The trip also served as a sad reminder of the need for biblical understanding in the treatment of women.  In the local culture, girls who became pregnant out of wedlock were taken to a very small island in the middle of the lake and left there.  Without food or shelter, the girls either starved, drowned trying to swim ashore, or were stolen to become wives to men who could not afford brideprice.  The name of the island is "Punishment."

      The final activity of the Mother's Union seminar was a planning session during which Empower International/Uganda was created.  Below are the notes from that meeting.

Notes on Planning Meeting

Mother's Union Seminar

Kabale, May 2008

Empower International Uganda was created.

             President:  Kiswiriri Margaret

            Chapter leaders

Eastern Uganda/Mbale: Wabulo Esther, Ocen Freda

                        Central Uganda:  Kibuuka Janet

                        Southern Uganda/Kabale:  Kwizera Grace

                        Northern Uganda/Lira-Longo:  Poro Rebecca, Oruru Betty

                        Western Uganda:  Kyomukama Miriam, Rev. Rose Keheeru.

             Chapters will meet monthly and forward reports of their meetings and activities to Margaret.

 Brainstorming by the group on ways to implement the New Man New Woman material

 Written reports to Mothers’ Union and diocesan leadership

 Presentations/reports to bishop, Father’s Union, Youth leaders, lay leaders, CWF

 Incorporate the material in Bible study groups, both men and women; youth groups, young couples, marriage counseling program (priests and Mother’s Union), teachers, clergy wives

Robert:  Teach at Teachers’ Fellowship

 Hold chapter meetings and network

 Refugee camps

 Archdeaconries

Incorporate studies into missions, sermons, evangelism, individual counseling, self-help groups, one-to-one sharing.

 Janet offered to translate the guide into Luganda

 Hold more seminars/training-of-trainers.  Carrie assured the group that they will be very good at this and do not need her to conduct them personally. 

 Each chapter agreed to meet in June and plan a program for July.  They will report monthly.  Carrie will act as consultant.

EMPOWER INTERNATIONAL UGANDA Status report, August 4, 2008

 Carrie edited the Bible study guide based on observations at the seminar.  Margaret is having copies made.  EIM (US) is providing funding for the copies.

 Carrie sent the computer files to Janet for translation into Luganda.  Carrie will gladly make them available to anyone else who wants them. 

 Below are messages from various leaders:

 Margaret in Kampala:  “Dr Carrie had to send a manual for me to get someone to produce them.  As soon as I get books I will contact each of you so that you work with your leader to start seminars.  I am requesting teachers, Peter, Enid, and all teachers we had in Carrie seminar to ask your headteachers to see if we can have seminars with your fellow teachers.  Make groups of any type in your churches or schools or community. I will be available if you need my help but the local seminars can be like every afternoon say for three days so that we shall not need expenditure of any type. Elias of BUSHENYI HAS GROUPS AND A LADY IN THE NORTH READY TO START.   

 Freda in Soroti:  “I have started writing a column, in our local newspaper called Ekide.”

Ester in Mbale:  Thanks dear, waiting to get the books. I have been sensitizing about the program in our Mothers Union/Christian women fellowship meetings and many are eager to learn. Hope to do more by the Grace of God. God bless you dear.

Peter Tumuhekyi:  “Hullo Dr Miles.  Praise God for the work you are doing in EIM and at the University. We are planning a sensitization seminar for men and women here in Kabale alongside with Grace Kwizera as we made a steering committee. We hope to use your manual which we intend to photocopy and make more copies for participants.  We are still at planning level and we will tell you the updates.